Systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models

ABSTRACT

A method for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw includes determining an initial position of the first jaw; and determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw.

This application incorporates by reference herein the entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/702,360, filed on Oct. 30, 2000.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related generally to the field of orthodontics, and more particularly to systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models.

One objective in orthodontics is to move a patient's teeth to positions where the teeth function optimally and aesthetically. Conventionally, appliances such as braces are applied to the teeth of the patient by an orthodontist. Each appliance exerts continual force on the teeth and gradually urges the teeth toward their ideal positions. Over a period of time, the orthodontist adjusts the appliances to move the teeth toward their final destination.

Generally, the orthodontist specifies in a prescription the final tooth arrangement. The prescription is based on the orthodontist's knowledge and experience in selecting the intended final position of each tooth. The orthodontist or an assistant applies the prescription in moving the teeth over a number of office visits.

The process of attaching the braces to teeth is tedious and painful to the patient. Additionally, each visit reduces the “chair-time” available to the orthodontist that could be used for another patient. Hence, the process of treating teeth using braces can be expensive.

New methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,893, allow the treatment to be planned in advance and all individual appliances to be fabricated at the outset of treatment. The appliances may thus be provided to the patient as a single package or system. Unlike braces, the patient need not visit the treating professional every time an adjustment in the treatment is made. While the patients will usually want to visit their treating professionals periodically to assure that treatment is going according to the original plan, eliminating the need to visit the treating professional each time an adjustment is to be made allows the treatment to be carried out in many more, but smaller, successive steps while still reducing the time spent by the treating professional with the individual patient. Moreover, the ability to use polymeric shell appliances that are more comfortable, less visible, and removable by the patient, greatly improves patient compliance, comfort, and satisfaction.

In the above system, and in other computer-aided teeth treatment systems as a first step, a digital data set representing an initial tooth arrangement is obtained, referred to hereinafter as the IDDS. The IDDS may be obtained in a variety of ways. For example, the patient's teeth may be scanned or imaged using well known technology, such as X-rays, three-dimensional x-rays, computer-aided tomographic images or data sets, magnetic resonance images, etc. Methods for digitizing such conventional images to produce data sets useful in the present invention are well known and described in the patent and medical literature. Usually, however, the present invention will rely on first obtaining a plaster cast of the patient's teeth by well known techniques, such as those described in Graber, Orthodontics: Principle and Practice, Second Edition, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1969, pp. 401-415. After the tooth casting is obtained, it can be digitally scanned using a conventional laser scanner or other range acquisition system to produce the IDDS. The data set produced by the range acquisition system may, of course, be converted to other formats to be compatible with the software which is used for manipulating images within the data set, as described in more detail below. General techniques for producing plaster casts of teeth and generating digital models using laser scanning techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,459. After scanning, computer models of teeth on an upper jaw and a lower jaw are generated. However, these models are not aligned relative to each other. Thus, a bite setting operation is manually performed using human operators.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a system, apparatus and computer-implemented method for arranging a computer model of teeth. In one aspect, a method for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw includes determining an initial position of the first jaw; and determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw.

Implementations of the above aspect may include one or more of the following. Determining the initial position can include determining a corresponding tooth on the second jaw for every molar and premolar tooth in the first jaw; determining a transform for the first jaw; and applying the transform to the first jaw. The process can shift the first jaw to be above the second jaw. Determining the transform can minimize a sum of squared distances between corresponding teeth. The process can simulate physical force on the jaws. Gravity force (G force) can be applied to the jaw. The process can apply a repulsion force which occurs between jaws if a collision occurs. The force can be proportional to square of collision. The position of the first jaw can be calculated from a model of solid body motion. The process includes testing position stability when a final position of the first jaw is achieved. The testing operation includes applying force in a side direction to the jaw. A new bite setting position can be generated if the final position is unstable. The process includes determining a plurality of stable bite setting positions and selecting a bite setting position with minimal distance between corresponding teeth.

In another aspect, a method for bite setting dental jaws includes digitally scanning PVS bites, upper arch and lower arch of a patient; displaying the upper arch, lower arch and the PVS bite on a computer screen; and comparing the digital bite against impressions on the PVS bite to determine proper bite-set.

Advantages of the invention include one or more of the following. When digital data relating to teeth on the upper and lower jaws is provided, a bite-aligned computer model can be generated. The models of jaws are visible for alignment purposes as an operator moves them either left or right or tilts them up or down. The system provides an easy way to determine the relative position of the upper jaw to the lower jaw. By providing a visual picture of one jaw relative to another jaw, the system eliminates guesswork as to the bite setting for the models of the teeth on the jaws. The process also provides significant labor saving benefits.

Other advantages include enhanced accuracy. A better bite definition can be ascertained, resulting in better patient treatment. The bite alignment is stable with little distortion. The system also supports a reconstruction of distorted molars. Additionally, a better starting point for final bite creation is achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational diagram showing the anatomical relationship of the jaws of a patient.

FIG. 2A illustrates in more detail the patient's lower jaw and provides a general indication of how teeth may be moved by the methods and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a single tooth from FIG. 2A and defines how tooth movement distances are determined.

FIG. 2C illustrates the jaw of FIG. 2A together with an incremental position adjustment appliance.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a process for producing incremental position adjustment appliances.

FIGS. 4A-4C show a first embodiment of a bite setting system.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a second embodiment of a bite setting system.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for bite setting two jaws.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate one embodiment to bite-set jaws.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment to bite-set jaws.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system for generating appliances in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a skull 10 with an upper jaw bone 22 and a lower jaw bone 20. The lower jaw bone 20 hinges at a joint 30 to the skull 10. The joint 30 is called a temporal mandibular joint (TMJ). The upper jaw bone 22 is associated with an upper jaw 101, while the lower jaw bone 20 is associated with a lower jaw 100. A computer model of the jaws 100 and 101 is generated, and a computer simulation models interactions among the teeth on the jaws 100 and 101. The computer simulation allows the system to focus on motions involving contacts between teeth mounted on the jaws. The computer simulation allows the system to render realistic jaw movements that are physically correct when the jaws 100 and 101 contact each other. The model of the jaw places the individual teeth in a treated position. Further, the model can be used to simulate jaw movements including protrusive motions, lateral motions, and “tooth guided” motions where the path of the lower jaw 100 is guided by teeth contacts rather than by anatomical limits of the jaws 100 and 101. Motions are applied to one jaw, but may also be applied to both jaws. Based on the occlusion determination, the final position of the teeth can be ascertained.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, the lower jaw 100 includes a plurality of teeth 102, for example. At least some of these teeth may be moved from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. As a frame of reference describing how a tooth may be moved, an arbitrary centerline (CL) may be drawn through the tooth 102. With reference to this centerline (CL), each tooth may be moved in orthogonal directions represented by axes 104, 106, and 108 (where 104 is the centerline). The centerline may be rotated about the axis 108 (root angulation) and the axis 104 (torque) as indicated by arrows 110 and 112, respectively. Additionally, the tooth may be rotated about the centerline. Thus, all possible free-form motions of the tooth can be performed.

FIG. 2B shows how the magnitude of any tooth movement may be defined in terms of a maximum linear translation of any point P on a tooth 102. Each point P1 will undergo a cumulative translation as that tooth is moved in any of the orthogonal or rotational directions defined in FIG. 2A. That is, while the point will usually follow a nonlinear path, there is a linear distance between any point in the tooth when determined at any two times during the treatment. Thus, an arbitrary point P1 may in fact undergo a true side-to-side translation as indicated by arrow d1, while a second arbitration point P2 may travel along an arcuate path, resulting in a final translation d2. Many aspects of the present invention are defined in terms of the maximum permissible movement of a point P1 induced on any particular tooth. Such maximum tooth movement, in turn, is defined as the maximum linear translation of that point P1 on the tooth that undergoes the maximum movement for that tooth in any treatment step.

FIG. 2C shows one adjustment appliance 111 which is worn by the patient in order to achieve an incremental repositioning of individual teeth in the jaw as described generally above. The appliance is a polymeric shell having a teeth-receiving cavity. This is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/169,036, filed Oct. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,807, which claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 08/947,080, filed Oct. 8, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,893, which in turn claims priority from provisional application number 60/050,352, filed Jun. 20, 1997 (collectively the “prior applications”), the full disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

As set forth in the prior applications, each polymeric shell may be configured so that its tooth-receiving cavity has a geometry corresponding to an intermediate or final tooth arrangement intended for the appliance. The patient's teeth are repositioned from their initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement by placing a series of incremental position adjustment appliances over the patient's teeth. The adjustment appliances are generated at the beginning of the treatment, and the patient wears each appliance until the pressure of each appliance on the teeth can no longer be felt. At that point, the patient replaces the current adjustment appliance with the next adjustment appliance in the series until no more appliances remain. Conveniently, the appliances are generally not affixed to the teeth and the patient may place and replace the appliances at any time during the procedure. The final appliance or several appliances in the series may have a geometry or geometries selected to overcorrect the tooth arrangement, i.e., have a geometry which would (if fully achieved) move individual teeth beyond the tooth arrangement which has been selected as the “final.” Such over-correction may be desirable in order to offset potential relapse after the repositioning method has been terminated, i.e., to permit movement of individual teeth back toward their pre-corrected positions. Over-correction may also be beneficial to speed the rate of correction, i.e., by having an appliance with a geometry that is positioned beyond a desired intermediate or final position, the individual teeth will be shifted toward the position at a greater rate. In such cases, the use of an appliance can be terminated before the teeth reach the positions defined by the appliance.

The polymeric shell 111 can fit over all teeth present in the upper or lower jaw. Often, only certain one(s) of the teeth will be repositioned while others of the teeth will provide a base or an anchor region for holding the appliance 111 in place as the appliance 111 applies a resilient repositioning force against the tooth or teeth to be repositioned. In complex cases, however, multiple teeth may be repositioned at some point during the treatment. In such cases, the moved teeth can also serve as a base or anchor region for holding the repositioning appliance.

The polymeric appliance 111 of FIG. 2C may be formed from a thin sheet of a suitable elastomeric polymer, such as Tru-Tain 0.03 in, thermal forming dental material, available from Tru-Tain Plastics, Rochester, Minn. Usually, no wires or other means will be provided for holding the appliance in place over the teeth. In some cases, however, it will be desirable or necessary to provide individual anchors on teeth with corresponding receptacles or apertures in the appliance 111 so that the appliance can apply an upward force on the tooth that would not be possible in the absence of such an anchor. FIG. 3 shows a process 200 for producing the incremental position adjustment appliances for subsequent use by a patient to reposition the patient's teeth. As a first step, an initial digital data set representing an initial tooth arrangement is obtained (step 202). The initial data set may be obtained in a variety of ways. For example, the patient's teeth may be scanned or imaged using X-rays, three dimensional X-rays, computer-aided tomographic images or data sets, or magnetic resonance images, among others. The teeth data may be generated by a destructive scanner, as described in the incorporated-by-reference U.S. application Ser. No. 09/169,034, filed Oct. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,511. The initial data set is then manipulated using a computer having a suitable graphical user interface (GUI) and software appropriate for viewing and modifying the images. More specific aspects of this process will be described in detail below. Individual tooth and other components may be segmented or isolated in the model to permit their individual repositioning or removal from the digital model.

After segmenting or isolating the components, the teeth are moved based on rules and algorithms programmed into the computer. In this step, each stage of tooth movement is determined by an attraction model between selected points on adjacent teeth. This step is iterated until an acceptable result is achieved (step 204). In one embodiment, the system stops the movement when the relative positions of the teeth satisfy a predetermined target.

In step 206, positions for the upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system of a patient are determined by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system. An occlusion of the upper and lower teeth is computed from the computer representation; and a functional occlusion is computed based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system. The occlusion may be determined by generating a set of ideal models of the teeth. Each ideal model in the set of ideal models is an abstract model of idealized teeth placement, which is customized to the patient's teeth, as discussed below. After applying the ideal model to the computer representation, the position of the teeth can be optimized to fit the ideal model. The ideal model may be specified by one or more arch forms, or may be specified using various features associated with the teeth.

Once the teeth arrangements are determined, a series of appliances that move the teeth in a specified sequence are generated (step 208). For example, the teeth models may be rotated until their roots are in the proper vertical position. Next, the teeth models may be rotated around their vertical axis into the proper orientation. The teeth models are then observed from the side, and translated vertically into their proper vertical position. Finally, the two arches are placed together, and the teeth models moved slightly to ensure that the upper and lower arches properly mesh together. The meshing of the upper and lower arches together can be visualized using a collision detection process to highlight the contacting points of the teeth.

As part of the generation of the initial digital data set representing an initial tooth arrangement of step 202, a bite-setting guide 310 is used to make a bite-setting of upper and lower jaws. As shown in FIG. 4A, the bite-setting guide 310 is a computer generated image that provides a perimeter outline of one jaw, for example the upper jaw. In one embodiment, the system generates the outline 310 by fitting an arch-shaped curve to the teeth in the upper jaw. The outline, exemplified by the dashed line, is displayed on screen. An operator can then move the outline 310 and position the outline 310 on top of the remaining jaw, in this case the lower jaw.

FIG. 4B illustrates the combination of the outline 310 representing in this case a model of the upper jaw and a model of teeth on the lower jaw. As shown therein, the outline 310 is superimposed with teeth 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346 and 348. Using the outline 310, the operator can see and make adjustments to the position of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw.

FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment showing the combination of FIG. 4B with contact points 323, 327, 331, 335, 341, 343, 347 and 349. Further, in this embodiment, a grid 350 is superimposed to support the operator in precisely positioning the jaw models to arrive at a proper bite-setting. In the embodiment, the contact points constitute light contacts with a predetermined pressure on the bite associated with the upper and lower jaws.

FIG. 4C thus shows the outline of the teeth of the upper jaw that is overlaid on the top of the lower jaw. When viewed on the grid 350, the operator can see precisely how the upper teeth are related to the lower teeth so that the operator can make incremental movements or adjustments to achieve the correct teeth registration. The process eliminates guesswork as to where the upper teeth need to be moved because the operator has a clear view of the relationship between the jaws. FIGS. 5A-5C show a second embodiment of the system. As shown in FIG. 5A, a bite-setting guide 410 is a computer generated image that provides a perimeter outline of one jaw such as the upper jaw in conjunction with outlines of the teeth of the jaw. In one embodiment, the system generates the outline 410 by fitting an arch-shaped curve to the teeth in the upper jaw. The outline 410 is then placed over the teeth of the jaw, and an outline of the teeth is added to the outline 410. The outline 410 is displayed on screen and the operator can then move the outline 410 and position the outline 410 on top of the remaining jaw, in this case the lower jaw.

FIGS. 5B-5C illustrate the combination of the outline 410 representing in this case a model of the upper jaw and a model of teeth on the lower jaw. As shown therein, the outline 410 is superimposed with teeth 422-428. Using the outline 410, the operator can see and make adjustments to the position of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. Also, FIG. 5C shows a plurality of contact points showing light contacts between the upper and lower jaws.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a process for generating the image of FIG. 4C or FIG. 5C is shown. First, the process determines an outline of one jaw, such as the upper jaw (step 450). Next, the process of FIG. 6 displays the remaining jaw in this case the lower jaw on the screen (step 452). Next, the outline of the upper law is overlaid on the image of the lower jaw (step 454). The process then determines and displays contact points between the two jaws on the screen (step 456). Next, the process allows the operator to manipulate or adjust the positions of the two jaws on the screen (step 458). This process is iteratively formed until the user is satisfied with the positioning of the two jaws. Thus, if the operator is not satisfied in step 460, the process loops back to step 458. Alternatively, the process of FIG. 6 exits.

In another embodiment, the teeth may be aligned automatically. In this embodiment, the models of the jaws are moved so that they are aligned to the features of one or more corresponding teeth. The features may be based on cusps, fossae, ridges, distance-based metrics, or shape-based metrics. Shape-based metrics may be expressed as a function of the patient's arches, among others. For example, cusp features associated with each tooth may be used. Cusps are pointed projections on the chewing surface of a tooth. In a detection stage, a possible cusp is viewed as an “island” on the surface of the tooth, with the candidate cusp at the highest point on the island. “Highest” is measured with respect to the coordinate system of the model, but could just as easily be measured with respect to the local coordinate system of each tooth.

The set of all possible cusps is determined by looking for all local maxima on the tooth model that are within a specified distance of the top of the bounding box of the model. First, the highest point on the model is designated as the first candidate cusp. A plane is passed through this point, perpendicular to the direction along which the height of a point is measured. The plane is then lowered by a small predetermined distance along the Z axis. Next, all vertices connected to the tooth and which are above the plane and on some connected component are associated with the candidate cusp as cusps. This step is also referred to as a flood fill step. From each candidate cusp point, outward flooding is performed, marking each vertex on the model visited in this matter as part of the corresponding candidate cusp. After the flood fill step is complete, every vertex on the model is examined. Any vertex that is above the plane and has not been visited by one of the flood fills is added to the list of candidate cusps. These steps are repeated until the plane has traveled a specified distance. After the detection stage, the cusp detection process may include a rejection stage where local geometries around each of the cusp candidates are analyzed to determine if they possess non-cusp-like features. Cusp candidates that exhibit non-cusp-like features are removed from the list of cusp candidates. Various criteria may be used to identify non-cusp-like features. According to one test, the local curvature of the surface around the cusp candidate is used to determine whether the candidate possesses non-cusp-like features. Alternatively, a measure of smoothness is computed based on the average normal in an area around the candidate cusp. If the average normal deviates from the normal at the cusp by more than a specified amount, the candidate cusp is rejected.

Additionally, a simplified set of movement physics (kinematics) may be applied to the bite-set dental models. The process can perform a simulation using a simplified set of interacting forces on the jaws in relation to one another. The simplified physical simulation allows the system to focus on motions involving much contact between the jaws. The physical simulation allows the system to render realistic physically correct jaw movements when the jaws come into contact with each other. A range of simulated motion may be supplied using a library of motions. One typical motion supplied by the library is a protrusive motion where the lower jaw 100 is moved forward and backward to bring the front teeth on both jaws into contact with each other. Another motion is a lateral motion found in food chewing. The lateral motion involves moving the jaws side to side. Other motions that may be supplied in the library include motions that are “tooth guided” where the path of the lower jaw is guided by the teeth in contact with each other. Next, the process adjusts the final position based on contacts observed during the simulation of motions. The result of the simulation is analyzed, the position of each tooth can be adjusted if contacts associated with that tooth are deemed excessive. Finally, based on the contact data generated, the process determines whether additional motion simulations need to be done. The motion simulation may be rerun until the contacts associated with each tooth are acceptable to the treating orthodontist. The tooth model manipulation process can be done subjectively, i.e., the user may simply reposition teeth in an aesthetically and/or therapeutically desired manner based on observations of the final position or based on the simulation of contacts. Alternatively, rules and algorithms may be used to assist the user in repositioning the teeth based on the contacts.

In one embodiment called Automated Bite Setting Using PVS Bites, PVS bites are digitally scanned using a template to evaluate bite set results. When the technician is ready to set the bite, he or she will bring up all three objects (upper arch, lower arch and the PVS bite) on the screen. As shown in FIG. 7A, the technician runs the bite set software, and compares the digital bite against the impressions on the PYS bite. In other words, the PVS bite, in conjunction with patient photos, will be used as a reference to approve the digital image of the bite. FIG. 7B shows the resulting aligned upper and lower arches of the bite-set teeth.

If the correct occlusion cannot be determined digitally, detailed plasters are poured up and the bite is manually registered. The cases can be checked against photos supplied by the submitting doctor and any adjustments required to the digital bites are then performed.

In another embodiment called Automated Bite Setting with Centric Occlusion, a process implemented in software attempts to find a “best fit” between digital models of the upper and lower arches, much like fitting two plaster models together. This process works well for most cases, with the exception of open bites since a best fit position cannot be ascertained for these cases. As shown in FIG. 8, the centric occlusion auto bite setting process consists of two main steps:

-   1. Initial setting of the upper jaw; -   2. Finding of best bite, starting from initial position 1).

To find initial position of step 1, the following process is used:

-   -   For every molar and premolar in the upper jaw a corresponding         tooth in the lower jaw is found. Teeth with no pair are not used         in finding initial position;     -   Apply a transform that minimizes a sum of squared distances         between corresponding teeth to the upper jaw;     -   The upper jaw is shifted in positive Z direction to be above the         lower one;         To find bite a physical model can be used.

In this model G force is applied to the upper jaw. In case of collision, a repulsion force occurs between jaws. This force is proportional to square of collision. The position of the upper jaw is calculated from equation of solid body motion. When the final position of the upper jaw is achieved, the stability of this position is tested. For this purpose force in side directions is applied to the jaw. If the jaw moves easily then the position is judged to be unstable and a series of bite setting process from one or more new initial positions are initiated. For example, new initial positions are shifted from the original one in Y direction from −8 mm to +7 mm with the step of 3 mm. In this way 7 different bite positions are determined, including the first one. The user is then asked to select an optimal position.

If the software could not find a proper position for the upper jaw, it will show a dialog to let the user select between different iterations. In this dialog, a user can hide the upper jaw and turn on a view showing teeth collisions, to see which position is most proper. When the user selects a position, the upper jaw is set to the selected position and the scene is left open for correction and saving.

The above embodiments take the guesswork out of bite setting and eliminate the need to pour plaster models for bite issues. For example:

-   -   1. If a good PVS bite and good photos are submitted, the jaws         are aligned or adjusted to the PVS bite. The resulting model is         confirmed (and adjusted as necessary) based on photos of the         patient's bite.     -   2. If a good PVS bite is submitted without photos or with poor         photos, bite will be set based on the PVS bite. The same applies         to the scenario of no PVS bites but good photos.     -   3. If no PVS bites or good photos are submitted, bite is set         assuming a centric occlusion and by allowing the software to         determine a best fit solution, much like fitting two plasters         together.     -   4. If, for some reason, the technician is not confident of the         resultant digital bite, plaster models are poured to confirm the         bite. This scenario assumes a doubtful digital bite set and lack         of good photos. Just like the third scenario, this will assume a         centric occlusion.

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a data processing system 500. Data processing system 500 typically includes at least one processor 502 that communicates with a number of peripheral devices over bus subsystem 504. These peripheral devices typically include a storage subsystem 506 (memory subsystem 508 and file storage subsystem 514), a set of user interface input and output devices 518, and an interface to outside networks 516, including the public switched telephone network. This interface is shown schematically as “Modems and Network Interface” block 516, and is coupled to corresponding interface devices in other data processing systems over communication network interface 524. Data processing system 500 may include a terminal or a low-end personal computer or a high-end personal computer, workstation or mainframe. The user interface input devices typically include a keyboard and may further include a pointing device and a scanner. The pointing device may be an indirect pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, touchpad, or graphics tablet, or a direct pointing device such as a touchscreen incorporated into the display. Other types of user interface input devices, such as voice recognition systems, may be used. User interface output devices may include a printer and a display subsystem, which includes a display controller and a display device coupled to the controller. The display device may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a projection device. The display subsystem may also provide nonvisual display such as audio output. Storage subsystem 506 maintains the basic programming and data constructs that provide the functionality of the present invention. The software modules discussed above are typically stored in storage subsystem 506. Storage subsystem 506 typically comprises memory subsystem 508 and file storage subsystem 514. Memory subsystem 508 typically includes a number of memories including a main random access memory (RAM) 510 for storage of instructions and data during program execution and a read only memory (ROM) 512 in which fixed instructions are stored. In the case of Macintosh-compatible personal computers the ROM would include portions of the operating system; in the case of IBM-compatible personal computers, this would include the BIOS (basic input/output system). File storage subsystem 514 provides persistent (nonvolatile) storage for program and data files, and typically includes at least one hard disk drive and at least one floppy disk drive (with associated removable media). There may also be other devices such as a CD-ROM drive and optical drives (all with their associated removable media). Additionally, the system may include drives of the type with removable media cartridges. The removable media cartridges may, for example be hard disk cartridges, such as those marketed by Syquest and others, and flexible disk cartridges, such as those marketed by Iomega. One or more of the drives may be located at a remote location, such as in a server on a local area network or at a site on the Internet's World Wide Web. In this context, the term “bus subsystem” is used generically so as to include any mechanism for letting the various components and subsystems communicate with each other as intended. With the exception of the input devices and the display, the other components need not be at the same physical location. Thus, for example, portions of the file storage system could be connected over various local-area or wide-area network media, including telephone lines. Similarly, the input devices and display need not be at the same location as the processor, although it is anticipated that the present invention will most often be implemented in the context of PCS and workstations. Bus subsystem 504 is shown schematically as a single bus, but a typical system has a number of buses such as a local bus and one or more expansion buses (e.g., ADB, SCSI, ISA, EISA, MCA, NuBus, or PCI), as well as serial and parallel ports. Network connections are usually established through a device such as a network adapter on one of these expansion buses or a modem on a serial port. The client computer may be a desktop system or a portable system. Scanner 520 is responsible for scanning casts of the patient's teeth obtained either from the patient or from an orthodontist and providing the scanned digital data set information to data processing system 500 for further processing. In a distributed environment, scanner 520 may be located at a remote location and communicate scanned digital data set information to data processing system 500 over network interface 524. Fabrication machine 522 fabricates dental appliances based on intermediate and final data set information received from data processing system 500. In a distributed environment, fabrication machine 522 may be located at a remote location and receive data set information from data processing system 500 over network interface 524.

Various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used in lieu of the above components. Although the final position of the teeth may be determined using computer-aided techniques, a user may move the teeth into their final positions by independently manipulating one or more teeth while satisfying the constraints of the prescription. Additionally, the techniques described here may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of the two. The techniques may be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers that each includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and nonvolatile memory and/or storage elements), and suitable input and output devices. Program code is applied to data entered using an input device to perform the functions described and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices. Each program can be implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language to operate in conjunction with a computer system. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program can be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described. The system also may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner. Further, while the invention has been shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the above and other changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. An automated method for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw, comprising: determining an initial position of the first jaw by using a data processing system to create a digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw and to position the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw over a digital model of the second jaw, wherein the digital perimeter outline is displayed on a display device coupled to the data processing system; determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw by directly aligning the first and second jaws, comprising: determining a corresponding tooth on the second jaw for every molar and premolar tooth in the first jaw, determining a transform for the first jaw by minimizing a sum of squared distances between corresponding teeth of the first jaw and the second jaw, and applying the transform to the first jaw; and shifting the first jaw to be above the second jaw.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising simulating physical force on the jaws.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying gravity force (G force) to the first jaw.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a repulsion force between jaws if a collision occurs.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the repulsion force is proportional to a square of a force of the collision.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the first jaw is calculated from a model of solid body motion.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising testing position stability when a final position of the first jaw is achieved.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising applying force in a side direction to the first jaw.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a new bite setting position if a final position based on the optimal bite is unstable.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a plurality of stable bite setting positions and selecting a bite setting position with minimal distance between corresponding teeth.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an optimal bite further comprises aligning teeth based on features selected from the group consisting of cusps, fossae, ridges, distance-based metrics, and shape-based metrics.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital perimeter outline of the first jaw is created by fitting an arch-shaped curve to teeth in the first jaw.
 13. An automated system for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw, comprising: means for determining an initial position of the first jaw comprising data processing means for creating a digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw and means for positioning the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw over a model of the second jaw, wherein the digital perimeter outline is displayed on a display device; and means for determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw by directly aligning the first and second jaws, wherein the means for determining an optimal bite comprises means for determining a corresponding tooth on the second jaw for every molar and premolar tooth in the first jaw, determining a transform for the first jaw by minimizing a sum of squared distances between corresponding teeth of the first jaw and the second jaw, and applying the transform to the first jaw.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for determining an optimal bite comprises a computer.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer has a graphical user interface and software for viewing and modifying scanned images.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the graphical user interface and software are configured to create and display the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for determining an initial position of the first jaw comprises a scanner. 